Belle Grove Plantation, Frederick County, Virginia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Shenandoah, Virginia, United States
Surnames/tags: Hite slavery

Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 History 1.2 Slaves 2 Research Notes 3 Sources

Introduction

This page's purpose is to record the people enslaved by Isaac Hite, Jr. and attempt to connect them to their families.

History

Belle Grove Plantation was built on the labor of enslaved individuals held by the Hite family between 1794 and 1797.

In 1732, Jost Hite with his business partner Robert McKay (possibly Robert MacKay Sr) and 16 families, journeyed to the northern Shenandoah Valley to settle on 140,000 acres obtained in two land grants.

Isaac Hite, Jr., the grandson of Jost Hite, attended William and Mary College and served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

In 1783, his father gave him and his bride Eleanor Conway Madison, the sister of James Madison, Jr., the 483 acres on which Belle Grove Manor House was later built.

Hite family records indicate that they enslaved more than 270 people at Belle Grove between 1783 and 1851. There is a small burial ground believed to be the final resting place for some of the enslaved individuals. ^[1]

Slaves

Among the first enslaved Africans whom the Hite family held were 15 individuals deeded to them by James Madison Sr.. They were:

1. Jerry
2. Jemmy
3. Sally
4. Milley
5. Eliza (35) and her five children: Joanna (12), Diana (10), Demas (8), Pendar (6), Webster (4)
6. Truelove (31) and her four children: Peggy (9), Priscilla (7), Henry (5), and Katey (3), (later she had Susie, who was given to Isaac by deed on July 27, 1832)

Other enslaved individuals:^[2]

1. Judah (Judy), the cook, purchased from Abraham Bowman. She had 12 children:
2. Sam
3. George
4. Marcu
5. Milly
6. Mary
7. Anthony
8. Maria
9. Westley
10. Elias
11. Elijah
12. Emily
13. Jonathan

In the 1820 census Isaac held 101 enslaved people in Pugh, Frederick, Virginia, United States.^[3]

25 Males - Under 14

11 Males - 14 thru 25

19 Males - 26 thru 44

3 Males - 45 and over

19 Females - Under 14

7 Females - 14 thru 25

14 Females - 26 thru 44

3 Females - 45 and over

In the 1830 census Isaac held 55 enslaved people in Western District, Frederick, Virginia.^[4]

5 Males - Under 10

7 Males - 10 thru 23

8 Males - 24 thru 35

7 Males - 36 thru 54

4 Males - 55 thru 99

7 Females - Under 10

4 Females - 10 thru 23

3 Females - 24 thru 35

3 Females - 36 thru 54

7 Females - 55 thru 99

Research Notes

• Need to get original inventories.
• For an in depth record of the enslaved held at Belle Grove plantation, please see:

List of Enslaved Compiled from Notes in the Hite Family Commonplace Book (1776‐1859)^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.bellegrove.org/about/history
2. ↑ https://www.bellegrove.org/about/enslaved/families
3. ↑ 1820 Census: "1820 United States Federal Census"
   Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Pugh, Frederick, Virginia; Page: 9; NARA Roll: M33_138; Image: 21
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7734 #1089348 (accessed 5 February 2024)
   Isaac Hite in Pugh, Frederick, Virginia, USA.
4. ↑ 1830 Census: "1830 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1830; Census Place: Western District, Frederick, Virginia; Series: M19; Roll: 190; Page: 113; Family History Library Film: 0029669
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8058 #832616 (accessed 5 February 2024)
   Isaac Hate Senior in Western District, Frederick, Virginia.
5. ↑ Virginia Historical Society: Hite Family Papers MssIH637535a‐40